Por y Para

On this page, we will learn where and when to use the prepositions por y para. Both of these words mean "for." Yet these words are used in very different contexts. Choosing which word to use can affect the meaning of a sentence. This is not one of the biggest lessons you will learn with the Spanish language, but it is important for you to learn this.

Please note that some of the grammar in these sections are words and conjugatons you may not have learned already. Don't worry; I suggest you use this as a way for you to expand your vocabulary.

Para

Use

Example

express movement or direction to a goal

Salgo para la Cuidad de México el viernes

I am leaving for Mexico City next Friday

indicate a specific time limit or a fixed point in time

Ese mural ya estará terminado para navidad

That mural will already be finished by Christmas

to express a purpose, goal, or destination

Esta tarjeta postal es para ti

This postcard is for you

to express an implied comparison of inequality

México está bastante industrializado para us país de Tercer Mundo

Mexico is fairly industrialized for a Third World country

to indicate the person or persons holding an opinion or making a judgement

I will call Carlos to tell him that we will be traveling by train, not by bus.

to indicate rate, frequency, or unit or measure

México tiene un médico por cada seiscientos habitantes

Mexico has one doctor per six hundred people

in the following common phrases

por ahora

for the time being

por cierto*

of course

por consiguiente

consequently

por eso

that's why

por fin

finally

por la mañana/tarde/noche

in the morning/afternoon/night

por lo menos

at least

por lo tanto

therefore

por más (mucho) que

however much

por otra parte

on the other hand

por poco

almost

por supuesto*

of course

por último

finally

*yes, they have the same meaning.

Now you know when to use por and para (for the most part). You must memorize this chart in order to speak Spanish better. And now, I leave you my dear visitors porque tengo que hacer tarea de mis clases como la ciencia de las computadoras e ingles y español. Gracias para visitar